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ELIOT
Son of a bitch. Now I have to take dance lessons. With the guy who keeps trying to arrest me. The sexy, smoldering, stacked guy that makes my skin tingle in anticipation every time he touches me. And I’m supposed to survive being twirled around a room with his big hands on my waist.
If I had just won that stupid gun. No. I’ve already shot the sheriff once. No need to tempt fate a second time.
That lucky bastard won all three of the items he bid on. I got a fish fry for twenty of my closest friends.
In retrospect, I might be the luckier bastard. Dad has already volunteered to have the party in the backyard, and I get to spend six weeks with Owen’s hands caressing my waist. Again. However, doing so to manhandle me out of my parents’ house didn’t count.
“Well, that was crazy,” he says, walking back over to me from settling up. It’s the first time he’s left my side all evening. I’m not complaining; just feels a little odd is all. I’m used to doing everything on my own. I can’t think of any event I’ve been escorted to by a man in this town since prom. And that was skinny Clive Bates, so I’m not sure that counts.
“Are people always this excited about winning free accounting services?” he teases when I don’t answer.
“It’s like winning the lottery.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It’s discovering tax-free buried treasure, free accounting, and then winning the lottery. In that order.”
“That’s how it is then?” He laughs.
“That’s how it is.” The room is starting to empty. All in all, it hasn’t been a bad evening. “You ready to go?”
“Whenever you are.” He takes my hand, and I try to fight the goosebumps as I pull him toward the door. I have got to get my shit together or the waltz will turn into the forbidden dance.
“Hey, are y’all heading out?” Reed asks, catching up to us near the door. “A couple of us were going for a beer. Thought Owen might want to come. You’re off duty, right?”
“I am.”
“Don’t you think there’s been enough excitement for the new guy for one night?” I point out. Not that I’m his babysitter, but the idea of Reed sharing every embarrassing story about me from high school is horrifying.
“And Rand has a baby.” He’s standing next to Reed with Keats in a sling. He’s rocking back and forth patting him on the butt. Keats, not Reed.
“We’re not taking the baby, Mom,” Reed fires back. “Interested?” he asks Owen.
“Yeah, I’ll meet you after I walk Eliot home. Which bar?”
“The Cougar Den.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I don’t think they thought that name out. It sounds worse than it is,” he says. “Unless you’re into that.” I glare at Reed.
“Sounds like the perfect end to the evening.” Now I glare at Owen.
I watch them discuss their plans like I’m at a tennis tournament. My stomach feels queasy. This is happening. What little sex appeal I have is about to be wiped away by tales of barfing in the locker room and farting in class.
After several hardy handshakes, because that’s what we do in this part of the world, Owen takes my hand again. I’m not sure that law enforcement should be quite this touchy-feely.
“Tonight was nice,” he says when we break free of the crowd. We’re slowly walking toward my house. Fall isn’t quite here yet, but the temperatures are no longer unbearable. “Thank you for going with me.”
“You should have held out for a better offer,” I quip.
“Don’t do that.” He steps in front of me, spins, and stops. In my defense, it’s impossible not to crash into his chest. His hand grips my chin and pulls my face up until my gaze meets his. “I scored the very best offer out there. Any man would be honored to have you on their arm. Understand?”
“Mhm,” I say, nodding my head like an idiot. He steps back next to me, continuing down the sidewalk.
